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"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Hijo" is a noun which is often translated as "son". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "hijo" below.
el(
ehl
)
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
definite article
a. the
El gato está en el tejado.The cat is on the roof.
El teléfono estaba encima de la mesa.The telephone was on top of the table.
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el hijo(
ee
-
hoh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. son (male)
Mi hijo se llama David.My son's name is David.
b. child (of unspecified sex)
¿Quieres saber el sexo de tu hijo antes de que nazca?Do you want to know the sex of your child before it's born?
c. kid
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(of unspecified sex)
Si tienes solo un hijo, es importante que te asegures de que se relaciona con otros niños.If you have just one kid, it's important to make sure that they socialize with other kids.
los hijos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. children (of unspecified sex)
Tengo cuatro hijos: Ana, Marta, Antonio y Miguel.I have four children: Ana, Marta, Antonio, and Miguel.
b. kids
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(of unspecified sex)
¿Cuántos hijos tienes? - Tres, dos niños y una niña.How many kids do you have? - Three, two boys and a girl.
c. sons (male)
Mis hijos se llaman Juan y Pablo.My sons are called Juan and Pablo.
d. son and daughter (male and female)
Mis hijos trabajan los dos en la medicina veterinaria. Julia es veterinaria y Carlos es enfermero veterinario.My son and daughter both work in veterinary medicine. Julia is a veterinarian and Carlos is a veterinary nurse.
e. sons and daughters (males and females)
El rey tenía treinta y cinco hijos.The king had thirty-five sons and daughters.
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